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Mets look to callups to keep 'pen functioning

The Mets need callups like Dario Alvarez to shore up their 'pen. (MiLB)

By Anthony DiComo
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MLB.com |

MIAMI -- Some teams look to September callups as a chance to give their bullpens much-needed breaks. The Mets looked at their 2014 callups simply as a way to keep their fractured bullpen intact.

With both Josh Edgin and Daisuke Matsuzaka back in New York nursing injuries, the Mets are using their small influx of pitching -- right-hander Erik Goeddel and lefty Dario Alvarez -- to avoid leaning too heavily on Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia and their other healthy bullpen arms.

"We've still got basically seven guys in the bullpen," manager Terry Collins said. "It's not like we've got a lot of guys down there. But make no mistake ... they're the guys who are going to pitch. Those are the guys who are going to pitch when the game's on the line with a lead."

Edgin, who received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his sore left elbow on Aug. 25, has not responded to the procedure as the team had hoped. He will visit with doctors in New York this week before the Mets decide their next move.

Matsuzaka had trouble warming up in the bullpen over the weekend and will also see doctors in New York. Because rosters are now expanded beyond 25 men, the Mets did not need to place either pitcher on the DL.

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.